Police: Serial burglary suspect arrested

In one of three recent North Seattle burglaries, a man had his Audi stolen from outside his home. Police believe the burglar took the keys from inside the home. (Google Maps)

A teenager described by prosecutors as a “notorious serial residential burglar and car thief” has been arrested in a recent string of home burglaries, police say – and court records show he’s already a 14-time felon.

Police developed a lead on the suspect earlier this week and had been aware of his public Facebook page – one that included a wall post saying the cops “DON’T GOT S*** ON ME!” He was arrested after work by the North Precinct Anti-Crime Team.

Investigators are trying to solve three burglaries on Thursday morning. In the first, a thief entered a home in the 4000 block of Sunnyside Avenue North through an unlocked front door. A purse was taken.

Police believe the second burglary occurred in the 4200 block of Meridian Avenue North.

Detective Renee Witt said a woman there woke just before 3 a.m. to a voice yelling, “let’s go.” The woman then heard what sounded like footsteps running down an outside staircase. She checked the house to find her car keys and personal electronics missing, but her car was not taken, Witt said. The burglar entered through an unlocked back door.

The third home burglarized was in the 4100 block of Sunnyside Avenue North. Witt said the burglar entered through an unlocked door off a front patio. The victim was home with his wife and two small children when the burglar stole personal electronics, car keys and a car.

Police said the victim’s stolen car was a gray Audi A4 with a Washington license plate ADZ8091. The teen was also arrested for investigation of vehicle theft. But he has not been charged in any of the recent cases, which is why he is not being named by seattlepi.com.

The 19-year-old former Ballard High School student had a previous pattern of burglarizing victims’ homes, then take items and steal their cars.

A crime spree he committed that ended with a February sentencing included 14 separate felony cases involving residential burglary or motor vehicle theft charges.

But because each of those 14 felonies was committed when he was a juvenile, the maximum time he could receive under state sentencing guidelines was 14 months in juvenile rehabilitation – 30 days for each of the felonies.

However, he was back on the streets in less time. The teen is expected to be in court for a bail hearing Monday.